Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin
CHAPTER 1
not stand otherwise than through ignorance of Christ. This will undoubtedly be acknowledged by every one that will but consider the main article 464 of this first chapter; for his grand object here is that we may know that Christ is the beginning, middle, and end --- that it is from him that all things must be sought --- that nothing is, or can be found, apart from him. Now, therefore, let the readers carefully and attentively observe in what colors Paul depicts Christ to us.
Who hath made us meet. He is still speaking of the Father, because he is the beginning, and efficient cause (as they speak) of our salvation. As the term God is more distinctly expressive of majesty, so the term Father conveys the idea of clemency and benevolent disposition. It becomes us to contemplate both as existing in God, that his majesty may inspire us with fear and reverence, and that his fatherly love may secure our full confidence. Hence it is not without good reason that Paul has conjoined these two things, if, after all, you prefer the rendering which the old interpreter has followed, and which accords with some very ancient Greek manuscripts. 465 At the same time there will be no inconsistency in saying, that he contents himself with the single term, Father. Farther, as it is necessary that his incomparable grace should be expressed by the term Father, so it is also not less necessary that we should, by the term God, be roused up to admiration of so great goodness, that he, who is God, has condescended thus far. 466
But for what kindness does he give thanks to God? For his having made him, and others, meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints. For we are born children of wrath, exiles from God's kingdom. It is God's adoption that alone makes us meet. Now, adoption depends on an unmerited election. The Spirit of regeneration is the seal of adoption. He adds, in light, that there might be a contrast --- as opposed to the darkness of Satan's kingdom. 467
13. Who hath delivered us. Mark, here is the beginning of our salvation --- when God delivers us from the depth of ruin into which we were plunged. For wherever his grace is not, there is darkness, 468 as it is said in Isaiah 60:2
Behold darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the nations; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
In the first place, we ourselves are called darkness, and afterwards the whole world, and Satan, the Prince of darkness, 469 under whose tyranny we are held
464Statum The term is commonly employed among the Latins like {στάσις} among the Greeks, to mean the point at issue. See Cic. Top. 25. --- Ed
465It is stated by Beza, that some Greek manuscripts have {τῷ} {Θεῷ} {καὶ} {Πατρὶ}, (to God and the Father,) and that this is the reading in some copies of the Vulgate. Wiclif (1380) reads, ``To God and to the Fadir.'' Rheims (1582) ``To God and the Father.'' --- Ed
466"S'est abbaisé iusques là de vouloir estre nostre Pere;" — "Has abased himself so far as to be willing to be our Father."
467"Afin qu'il y eust vne opposition entre les tenebres du royaume de Satan, et la lumiere du royaume de Dieu;" — "That there might be a contrast between the darkness of Satan's kingdom, and the light of God's kingdom."
il n'y a que tenebres;" — "There is nothing but darkness." 469"One of the names which the Jews gave to Satan was {{חש--- darkness'' --- Illustrated Commentary. --- Ed